The facts on LGBT aging Caregiving Caregiving can be a rewarding but sometimes challenging experience. LGBT caregivers face unique obstacles, from healthcare laws that privilege biological families to a lack of resources for LGBT-specific needs. Because LGBT people are twice as likely to age alone and four times less likely to have children, LGBT elders become caregivers more often than their heterosexual counterparts. More than half (54 percent) of LGBT elder care recipients receive care from their partner; a quarter (24 percent) receive care from a friend 21 percent of older LGBT adults have provided care to friends, compared to only 6 percent of their heterosexual counterparts LGBT caregivers are more likely to be doing so in isolation and tend to have poorer mental and physical health
Cultural competency Due to a lifetime of discrimination, harassment, and violence, LGBT elders are more likely to become ill at an earlier age than their straight peers. In some instances, an LGBT elder might only seek assistance for emergency care, which can be costly not only to their health but also their financial security. About 20 percent of LGBT people avoid medical care out of fear of discrimination 88 percent of LGBT older adults want longterm care facilities that are culturally competent 50 percent of transgender individuals have taught their medical providers about transgender care
Discrimination LGBT elders can be targets of discriminatory acts ranging from hiring and salary discrimination to neglectful health care providers. LGBT older adults often experience victimization based on their perceived or actual sexual orientation and gender identity. Discrimination can lead to negative
consequences for LGBT elders: About two-thirds of LGBT older adults have experienced victimization at least three times in their lives Victims of discrimination have a higher likelihood of poor health outcomes It's been reported that LGBT older adults have received inferior, neglectful healthcare or have denied healthcare altogether
Health care LGBT older adults are less likely than their heterosexual peers to reach out to providers, senior centers, meal programs, and other entitlement programs because they fear sexual orientation- or genderbased discrimination and harassment. LGBT older adults experience mental and physical illness more frequently than their heterosexual counterparts: Nearly one-third of transgender people do not have a regular doctor and report poor general health LGB older adults have higher rates of poor physical health and mental distress 41 percent of LGBT older adults report having a disability, compared to 35 percent of heterosexual older adults 9 percent of lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer people report that a doctor or other health care provider used harsh or abusive language while treating them; among transgender people, the number was 21 percent
HIV/AIDS HIV disproportionately impacts the LGBT community, and the number of LGBT older adults with HIV is increasing. Thirty years ago, the idea that someone with HIV